UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Riley suffers another injury

He didn't think he'd suffer another just one week into UCLA's spring camp.

After sitting out all of last season recovering from neck surgery, the redshirt junior safety out of St. Francis in La Ca ada separated his right shoulder April 6 - just the third practice session this month.

Riley had gotten his arm caught trying to pry the ball loose during one-on-one drills, and the pain he suddenly felt had him fearing the worse.

He said he tried to think positively, but couldn't contain all his emotions as the staff worked to pop his shoulder back in on the sideline.

"Sitting in that shade area with the trainer, I didn't know what to expect," he said. "I kind of broke down. I started crying because I've been working my tail off the whole offseason, just doing whatever I can to prepare myself mentally and physically. Then that accident happens."

Luckily for him and the Bruins, the most experienced member of the secondary didn't require surgery. Riley is gradually working back into practice with a red jersey. He said the shoulder feels fine, though he hasn't gone full contact yet. He rehabs two to three times a day.

"He's such a football-intelligent kid," defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin said. "When we throw him back out there, it's like he never fell off. It's like riding a bike to him. The thing is, it's going to be vital to get him back and get him healthy."

Fatigue dogging

offensive line

Come fall, as many as three freshmen could be starting on the Bruins' offensive line. Since the position group is still waiting on seven incoming players, plenty of would-be reserves are getting the benefit of more practice reps. However, the fatigue is also taking a toll on them three weeks into spring camp.

"Now what happens is these kids take so many reps during practice that they're going to get tired," offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. "All of a sudden, they start losing their technique and things like that. You can't work on some of the things you need to work on."

Hundley eager to re-scale stairs

During the winter offseason, quarterback Brett Hundley found an unexpected challenge: the Santa Monica Stairs. Located near at the corner of Fourth and Adelaide less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean, the top offers spectacular coastal views.

To get there, though, one must first scale 189 steep steps. Together with former running back Johnathan Franklin and current defensive back Librado Barocio, Hundley took to the stairs for what he thought would be a regular workout.

"At first, we started walking up it, I asked them, `Is this the pace we're going at?"' Hundley said. "Worst thing I ever did. Worst thing I ever did in my life."

Ever the glutton for punishment, the redshirt sophomore promised to return to the stairs once spring football camp was over.